Hockey training device

ABSTRACT

A hockey training device is provided. The hockey training device provides a puck body connected to an elastic shock cord, the other end of which may attach to a user&#39;s hockey stick. The puck body has the dimensioning of a regulation hockey puck, while the shock cord is adaptable to different hockey sticks and skill levels of the individual user. The shock cord may be secured within a cavity of the puck body through a body hole thereof. The elasticity of the shock cord enables the user to repeatedly practice their passing skills as well as their receiving skills as the interconnected puck body elastically returns to the hockey stick during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/384,553, filed 7 Sep. 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hockey accessories and, more particularly, to a hockey training device.

In the game of hockey, practicing passing and receiving skills by oneself is difficult. Thus, a single hockey player desiring to work on individual their passing and receiving skills—specifically, their hand-eye coordination as it relates to puck handling development—must enlist another person to help them.

Existing hockey training products for overcoming this difficulty are not regulation hockey pucks and do not come fully assembled. Furthermore, such products are not effective for all hockey skill levels.

As can be seen, there is a need for an ice hockey training device that is dimensionally a regulation hockey puck so that the user can easily transfer skills learned through the present invention into a game situation. The hockey training device of the present invention, colloquially known as “Puck Pro”, is designed to selectively and repeatedly returned on every pass to the training player, allowing the player to enhance skills without a partner. The hockey training device is adaptable for all levels of hockey players, from early beginners to advanced levels, through being dimensioned as a regulation hockey puck size. It also comes fully assembled, and is portable and affordable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a hockey training device including a puck body having dimensions of a regulation hockey puck; and an elastic cord extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end connects to the puck body, and wherein the first end is adapted to removably connect to a hockey stick.

In another aspect of the present invention, the hockey training device includes a puck body having two opposing flat surfaces interconnected by a circumferential wall; an elastic cord extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end connects to the puck body, and wherein the first end is adapted to removably connect to a hockey stick; a cavity provided within the puck body; a body hole provided along the circumferential wall, wherein the body hole communicates to the cavity; a second connector securing the second end in the cavity; a loop formed by the first end and a first connector; a display region along one of said two flat surfaces; and a filling occupying the entire cavity less the second end and the second fastener.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of training for hockey includes providing an above hockey training device; attaching the loop to a heel of the hockey stick; and practicing passing and receiving skills as described herein.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a puck body of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hockey training device. The hockey training device provides a puck body connected to an elastic shock cord, the other end of which may attach to a user's hockey stick. The puck body has the dimensioning of a regulation ice hockey puck, while the shock cord is adaptable to different hockey sticks and skill levels of the individual user. The shock cord may be secured within a cavity of the puck body through a body hole thereof. The elasticity of the shock cord enables the user to repeatedly practice their passing skills as well as their receiving skills as the interconnected puck body elastically returns to the hockey stick during use.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include a training device 100, for ice hockey or non-ice hockey, providing a puck body 10 connected to a shock cord 16. The puck body 10 may made from the material of and dimensioned after a regulation hockey puck. The shock cord 16 may be made of an elastic material, and come in different lengths (L) for beginners through advanced players. The length L may extend between a first end 41 and a second end 42.

Referring to FIG. 1, the first end may form a heel loop 26 through, in certain embodiments, the aid of a first connector 20, such as a wire crimp. A first layer 24 may wrap around the attachment point of the first connector 20 to protect it from wear and tear. In certain embodiments, the first layer 24 may be heat-applied shrink wrap or the like. The heel loop 26 may be dimensioned and adapted to slide over and (frictionally) engage the heel 28 of differently sized hockey sticks 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second end 42 may slide through a body hole 14 provided along the radial circumference of the puck body 10. The body hole 14 may be centrally disposed along said radial circumference. The body hole 14 may communicate to a cavity 50 provided within a portion of the body hole 14. The second end 42 may provide a second connector 18 and fastener 30, such as a nut and knot, respectively, to secure the second end 42 within the cavity 50, against an inner wall of the radial circumference wall. Note, though the FIG. 2 cutaway makes the cavity seem to be generally coextensive with an interior of the puck body 10, the cavity 50 may be just sufficient to house the second end 42, second connector 18, and the fastener 30. To wit, once an initial cavity is formed during manufacture, an individual may fill the initial cavity through a manufacturing hole 32 with a filler, such as epoxy, to further secure the second connector 18 and fastener 30 inside the puck body 10 cavity 10, as well as to provide the resulting training device 100 with a weight distribution akin to a regulation hockey puck.

In certain embodiments, a manufacturing hole 32 may be provided along one of the opposing flat surfaces of the puck body 10, wherein the manufacturing hole 32 communicates to said initial cavity for the manufacturing purpose of, at least, securing the second connector 18 and fastener 30 within the cavity 50. One of the flat surfaces may also provide a display region 12 for affixing or printing a message or logo thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, a method of using the present invention may include the following. The training device 100 disclosed above may be provided. A user may attach the heel loop 26 to the heel 28 of their desired hockey stick 22. Then, with the puck body 10 placed in front of the hockey stick blade on a hard surface (i.e. ice, linoleum, wood, tile, cement, etc.), the user would then aim to hit the puck body 10 in a forward motion, the elasticity of the shock cord 16 resulting in the puck body 10 returning, whereby the user receives the puck body 10 back to the blade repeatedly for individual practice of their passing and receiving skills.

The shock cord 16 can be made in different lengths (L) to adapt to a variety of skill levels: a three-foot shock cord 16 can be used for a beginner skill level, whereby the shock cord 16 is shorter and the pass is slower returning to the blade; a four-foot shock cord 16 could be used for an intermediate level player; and a five-foot shock cord 16 could be used for an advanced level player or a player with the open space or area to practice.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a puck body having dimensions of a regulation hockey puck; and an elastic cord extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end connects to the puck body, and wherein the first end is adapted to removably connect to a hockey stick.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cavity provided within the puck body; and a body hole provided along the puck body, wherein the body hole communicates to the cavity, and wherein the second end occupies the cavity.
 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a second connector engaging the second end for securing the second end in the cavity.
 4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a second fastener engaging the second end for securing the second end in the cavity.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first end forms a loop dimensioned to slidably receive a heel of said hockey stick.
 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a first connector to form the loop.
 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a first layer to envelope the first connector.
 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a filling occupying the entire cavity less the second end, the second connector and the second fastener.
 9. A device, comprising: a puck body having two opposing flat surfaces interconnected by a circumferential wall; and an elastic cord extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end connects to the puck body, and wherein the first end is adapted to removably connect to a hockey stick.
 10. The device of claim 9, further comprising: a cavity provided within the puck body; a body hole provided along the circumferential wall, wherein the body hole communicates to the cavity; a second connector securing the second end in the cavity; and a loop formed by the first end and a first connector.
 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a display region along one of said two flat surfaces.
 12. The device of claim 10, further comprising a filling occupying the entire cavity less the second end and the second fastener.
 13. A method of training for hockey, comprising: providing the device of claim 10; attaching the loop to a heel of the hockey stick; and practicing passing and receiving skills as described herein. 